John 15-21

Answers

2009

Chapter 15 – The Relationship of Believers to Christ

As He did throughout His ministry, Jesus continues to teach using metaphors and imagery to reveal Who He Is and what His ministry is. He explains the relationship between the true believer and the Messiah.

In the OT, the vine is used commonly as a symbol for Israel. But the nation proved itself unfaithful and unfruitful, so the Lord Jesus identified Himself as the “true vine” and the Father as the “vinedresser,” or caretaker of the vine. The vine has two types of branches: 1) branches that bear fruit (vv.2,8), and 2) branches that do not (vs.2, 6). The branches that bear fruit are genuine believers. Although he context here is addressing the 11 disciples, it also includes all believers down through the ages. The branches that do not bear fruit are those who profess to believe, but their lack of fruit indicates genuine salvation has never taken place and they have no life from the vine. Not all who make a profession of faith and are baptized possess salvation.

What does v.2 mean to you as a believer? What does it mean for an unbeliever? (A) The vinedresser cuts from the vine all of the branches which do not bear fruit – might mean a person who professes to be a believer but has never really been united to Christ by faith. It may also represent a true Christian who is a “backslider” and fails to show or practice the fruit of the Spirit. It may mean a physical death or “takes away” may mean “lifts up” whereby the Father encourages a fruitless branch by making it easier to get light and air.
He prunes those branches, which bear fruit. (A) Even a Christian who is growing more like Christ needs to be pruned – the rotten stuff of the world removed from him. How? Through the Word of God, that changes people (v.3). This may refer to Sanctification whereby the believer is constantly being formed into the image of Christ.
How do we remain in Christ (v.5)? (A) The word is “abide” which means to stay where you are. We have been placed in Christ – stay in fellowship with Him. You cannot bear fruit unless you are part of the vine!
Again, v.6 says that one who parts from Christ is like a useless branch that thrown away and withers. (A) It probably refers to People who claim to be Christians but are not genuinely saved and are therefore judged by eternal fire.
Jesus tells us in v.9 that He loves us as the Father loves Him. What an honor to be loved with such intensity. He commands us to love in the same way. How is this shown? (A) V.13 says that the greatest love is shown when people lay down there lives for their friends. Is this literal? (A) It may very well be. Many have died for the sake of the church. It may mean some people give their entire lives in service for the people of God. The point is – are you willing to do the same?
Discuss vv.15 - 17. What do they mean to you? (A) Christ considers us much more than mere servants. He looks on us as friends and has given us, in the Word, all that He heard from the Father. We do not need anything else! It was Jesus who chose us from eternity past, not because we are so great, but because He loves us and chooses us to produce spiritual fruit, that is, to manifest godly attributes; righteous behavior; and leading others to faith in Christ.

Chapter 16 – The Promise of the Holy Spirit

1. Christ said that He would send the Helper to the disciples. How does He help? (A) He would comfort them, empower them, give them courage, teach them, and make Christ more real to them than ever before. He was coming in a new way – to convict the world and minister to believers.

2. It says that the Spirit convicts the world in regard to sin, of righteousness, and of Judgment. How does He convict the world of these things? (A) He creates an inward awareness in the hearts of believers of these things. “Of sin” – He convicts the world of the sin of failing to believe in Christ; “Of righteousness” – Jesus claimed to be righteous, but men said He had a demon. The Father, in effect, said “My Son is righteous, and I will prove it by raising Him from the dead and taking Him back to Heaven”; “Of judgment” – The presence of the HS convicts the world of coming judgment. The fact that He is here means the devil has already been condemned at the cross all who refuse the Savior will share his awful judgment in the future.

3. V.13 says that, “When the Spirit comes, He will guide you into all truth.” How? (A) Through the Scriptures. All truth was given to the apostles, and they committed it to writing and we have it today in the NT. This combined with the OT, completes God’s revelation to man. He continues to reveal the truth to us as we study, pray, and worship. It is all to bring glory to Christ (v.14)!

4. Vv. 23,24 speak about “that day.” What day? (A) It refers to Pentecost, about 40 days from the Passover Jesus was celebrating, and it refers to the “last days” in which we are living. In these days, the HS teaches the truth about the Father and it will be become more plain.

Chapter 17 – The Prayer of Jesus

This prayer is sometimes referred to as the “High-Priestly” prayer of Jesus and marks the end of His earthly ministry and the beginning of His intercessory ministry for believers (Heb. 7:25).

Jesus says in v.1 “the time has come.” What time? (A) The Jews attempted to kill Jesus many times and could not, the time for His death has come.
How would the Father “glorify the Son?” If He were to remain in the grave, then He was just another man. But the Father would glorify Him by raising Him from the dead and then taking Him to heaven and crowning Him with glory and honor.
The Father has given “all authority” to the Son. What does that mean for you? (A) That authority was the result of the work of redemption on the cross. This authority entitled Him to give eternal life to those whom the Father had given Him (v.2). This shows once again that before the foundation of the world, God marked out certain ones as belonging to Christ. We need to remember though, that God offers salvation to anyone who will receive Jesus Christ!
How does one obtain eternal life? (A) V.3 – “And this is the way to eternal life – to know the Father, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one the Father sent to earth.” Jesus is equal to the Father as the joint source of eternal life.
How did Jesus glorify the Father? (A) By doing only His will while on earth. We are to do the same.
One more view from Jesus about divine election. In vv. 6,7, He says that the Father separated the apostles from all the others on earth and gave them as a gift to Jesus. In fact, everything that Jesus had (us included) was a gift from the Father. What is His prayer (v. 11)? (A) That the Father keep them and care for them – all those you have given Me – so that they will be united just as We are.” We are in the Father’s care and will be united with He and Jesus in heaven.
In v. 21, Jesus prays that all believers would be one. Does that mean that He wants all churches to unite and become one? (A) It will not happen in this age but at the end time when AntiChrist forces a one-world religion on people. Here He is praying that believers would be one in exhibiting the character of God and of Christ. Sorry, but some churches we should have no part of!

Chapter 18 –The Arrest of Christ

The Last Supper is finished and Jesus, His prayers for the disciples is completed, and now Jesus begins His inevitable journey to the cross. He leaves the city and walks eastward to the Mt. of Olives and on it, the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas had accompanied the Lord there often and knew where He would be. He leads a detachment of troops and Jewish officers and guards to arrest Jesus. What must have gone through the mind of Judas as the Lord addressed the crowd with “I AM,” in answer to their question. He was saying once again that He was the Messiah, the Lord God Jehovah. It was so powerful of a statement that the crowd drew back and fell to the ground. Yet Judas kissed Him and with his kiss, betrayed the Savior. How often have we done the same thing in our actions, with our words?

Why was Jesus put on trial by the Jews first? (A) All throughout His ministry, Jesus defied the Jewish leadership and their hypocrisy. They sought to prove Him guilty of blasphemy and heresy.
What was the core of the Jews concern? (A) His claim that He was the Son of God. Jesus tells the High Priest that he should ask the people what he had been teaching. They all knew very well what His claim was. The many “I AM” statements proved that.
Why do you think Peter denied Jesus three times? What would you have done if you were in his place, standing in the High Priest’s courtyard and surrounded by guards, officers and other hostile Jews?
During Jesus’ trial before Pilate, He says that His kingdom is not of this earth (18:36). Can you explain why? (A) He probably meant that His kingdom was not connected to any earthly political and national ties (even those of Israel). His kingdom has no part in the evil world’s rebellion against God from the beginning of time as all other kingdoms have been and still are. His kingdom is concerned with conquering sin in the lives of His people and some day conquering the evil world system at His Second Coming when He establishes His earthly kingdom. In other words, it exists in the spiritual dimension until the end of the age (Rev. 11:15).
Pilate asks Jesus if He is a king. Jesus answers how (v.37)? (A) “You are right! I came to bring truth to the world.” Only those who know Him and hear His voice know the truth. If you were asked, could you explain the truth?

Chapter 19 – Innocent But Condemned

Pilate finds no fault in Jesus but gives in to the will of the crowd in order to avoid a political uprising. He has Jesus scourged as an attempt to appease the crowd, but they would have none of it.

What is the implied threat to Pilate in v. 12? (A) If he did not go along with their demand, then they would go to Caesar with the accusation that Pilate served another king. This would be death for Pilate.
What does the priests’ reply (v.15) indicate about their spiritual condition? (A) For a Jew to claim Caesar as king would be the greatest blasphemy of all. There allegiance was to be to God first.

The Crucifixion

Pilate condemns Jesus to death by crucifixion, sends him to Golgotha and has sign nailed to the cross which read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” What meaning does this title have for Pilate? (A) Possibly two meanings. He acknowledged Jesus as the true king of the Jews, or He freed himself from Roman retribution by, in essence, saying that “I have killed this rebel, the illegal king of the Jews.”
Remember back to the wedding at Cana and Mary’s faith in her Sons’ ministry - how do you think she must have felt as she watched Him dying on the cross?
Why is the OT prophecy about Jesus’ death so important in this chapter (see Psalm 22: 12-18,p.471; Ex.12:46, p.59; Zech. 12:10,p.781). (A) All of these prophecies pointed to the true Messiah, one His means of death; one as the sacrificial Passover Lamb; and the other as the Savior (v.36).
What is the significance of vs.28,30? (A) The entire work of redemption had been brought to completion –the debt for sin had been paid in full.
V.29 says that He gave up His Spirit. (A) Is that significant? (A) No one took His life from Him, for He voluntarily and willingly gave it up.
Some food for thought and contemplation. In what sense was Jesus’ death necessary, yet voluntary/ Triumphant, yet tragic? Pre-ordained, yet avoidable? Lifted up, yet laid down? Unjust, yet, unjust? Finished, yet on going?
When you think about how Jesus died for you, how do you feel? When did the crucifixion begin to make a difference in your life? Has it?
How would you explain the need for the crucifixion to somebody else? (A) God required a blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. In His eyes, this was the only way to redemption. He knew no one else, certainly not everyone else, could or would die for their own sins. In His great love for us, He sent His Son to die for us, thereby setting us free from condemnation and giving us the opportunity to possess eternal life.
Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus and he and Nicodemus buried Jesus after anointing him with myrrh and aloes. What does this say about these two men? (A) They finally came out of the closet and risked everything because of the sacrifice of this One man, Jesus. It is certain that the Pharisees were made aware of their ministering to Jesus, putting their political career and leadership role in danger. They put Jesus first!

Chapter 20 –The Resurrection of Jesus

The scene at the foot of the cross included four women, one of them being Mary Magdalene, the woman cleansed of demon possession. John was the only disciple mentioned there. On Sunday morning, before dawn, Mary once again proved her faithfulness to her Lord.

Why do you think Jesus appeared to her first? (A) Possibly to demonstrate grace by His personal, loving faithfulness to someone who had a dark past; but also because she loved Him so dearly and deeply, that she appeared before anyone else at the tomb. The disciples were in hiding and mourning.
Mary runs and tells Simon Peter and John about His disappearance. They run to the tomb to see for themselves and it says that only John believed; yet, he did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead (v.9). What did they do (v.10)? (A) Amazingly, they went back to their homes, but Mary stayed outside the tomb and grieved.
How did Jesus respond to Mary (v. 14-16)? (A) He graciously appeared to her first and in answer to her confusion and despair, simply says, “Mary.” With that one word, He opened her eyes so she could see the truth of the Resurrection. He spoke to her heart of love and grief by showing He was alive as He had promised; and He restored her hope in the promises of the Messiah. She called Him “Rabboni” (teacher) but He lovingly explains the newer and fuller way she would now know Him.
What term (v.17) does Jesus use for His disciples here? What is new in their relationship from now on (see 15:15)? (A) Jesus tells Mary to go to His brothers and tell them of His resurrection. In 15:15, He told them that they were no longer servants, but friends. He now says they are His brothers, that His Father was their Father, and His God was their God. His act of sacrifice on the cross forever changed the believer’s relationship with their God! We are now adopted sons of God, a relationship that begins when we are saved and never ends. As His sons/daughters, we share in the full inheritance of Christ (Eph. 1: 5,13).
It was now Sunday evening. The disciples were assembled together, perhaps in the upper room where they had met three nights ago. Jesus enters the room without opening a door. This appears to be a miracle. He was in His Resurrection body of real flesh and bones, yet He had the power to pass through barriers and otherwise act independently of natural laws. Why do you think He said, “Peace be with you?” (A) It was a similar Hebrew greeting similar to “shalom” but now contained a deeper and fuller meaning. Taken together with His words on the cross “It is finished,” they accomplished forever, peace between God and His people.
Jesus repeats His statement of Peace and commissions His disciples to go and do what He has done. Verse 22 says,” He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit." If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you refuse to forgive them, they are unforgiven.” Did they actually receive the HS at that time? Is Jesus giving them the power to forgive or not to forgive sins? (A) The disciples did not receive the HS until Pentecost, some 40 days later. This must be understood as a promise on Christ’s part that the Holy Spirit would be coming. V.23 does not give Christians power to forgive sins. Jesus was saying that the believer could boldly declare the certainty of a sinner’s forgiveness by the Father because of the work of His Son, if that person has repented and believed. Sin was forgiven at the cross. Apart from that, there is no forgiveness.
Have you ever uttered the words of Thomas in v. 28, “My Lord and my God?” Is Jesus the Lord of your life? Over everything?

Chapter 21 – The Risen Christ with His Own

Seven of the disciples have now returned to their home in Galilee. Peter decides to go fishing, just as he had always done, but caught nothing. Jesus appears on the shore and asks if they caught anything. He instructs them to cast their nets on the other side. They do so and catch a great number of fish, one hundred fifty-three in total. John recognizes the Lord and tells Peter who impulsively jumps in the water and swims to shore. Jesus joins them in the breakfast He cooked for them.

1. What is the symbolism of the fishing done here? (A) “They caught nothing” – the uselessness of human effort without divine help; “they cast their nets on the right side” – the Lord had perfect knowledge as to the fish in the lake. When the Lord directs our service, there are no more empty nets. He knows where there are souls to be saved, and He is willing to direct us to them – if we will let Him. “The Lord had breakfast ready” – He is not dependent on our poor efforts; “pull in the net and count” – the secret of success is to work at His command and to act with implicit obedience to His Word; “0ne hundred and fifty-three fish” – speaks of the variety of those who would be saved through the preaching of the Gospel; “the net did not break” – God’s work carried out in God’s way will never lack God’s resources. He will see that the net never breaks (William MacDonald).

2. After breakfast, Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love Me more than these (v.15)?” Peter answers him that he does. What was the Lord looking for and how does Peter’s response reveal his remaining doubt? (A) The word for love that the Lord uses is “agapao,” that Christ like love that calls for total commitment. Peter answers with the word “phileo” that suggest love for a friend. Peter shows he loves the Lord but maybe without total commitment. This might be because of Peter’s failure to live up to his words in the Garden. The point is that Jesus demands total commitment from his followers. Their love for Him must place Him above their love for all else.

3. “…More than these.” More than what? (A) Possibly the fish they had caught and his profession as a fisherman. Jesus wanted Peter to love Him so much more than all else that he was familiar with and to be exclusively devoted to being a fisher of men.

4. How could Peter show that He loved the Lord? (A) Jesus tells him three times to feed His lambs, His sheep, His flock. He is sending Peter out as an evangelist, a teacher and pastor. His lambs need the loving care of a shepherd.

5. In vs.18, 19, Jesus tells Peter how He is going to die. He follows that up by saying, “Follow Me.” What is He saying? (A) Whenever a Christian follows Christ, he must be prepared to suffer and die.

6. What does v.23 say to you – “If I want him to remain alive…? (A) He is in control of everyday and every circumstance of our lives. It is all about Him and for Him. That is what it must be to us! What a great God He is!

John 15 – 21

Questions

2009

Chapter 15 – The Relationship of Believers to Christ

What does v.2 mean to you as a believer? What does it mean for an unbeliever? (A) The vinedresser cuts from the vine all of the branches which do not bear fruit – might mean a person who professes to be a believer but has never really been ________ to Christ by ________. It may also represent a true Christian who is a “__________” and fails to show or practice the ____ of the Spirit. It may mean a physical death or “takes away” may mean “lifts up” whereby the Father ______________ a fruitless branch by making it easier to get light and air.
He prunes those branches, which bear fruit. (A) Even a Christian who is growing more like Christ needs to be pruned – the rotten stuff of the world removed from him. How? Through the ____ of God, that changes people (v.3). This may refer to ___________ whereby the believer is constantly being formed into the ______ of Christ.
How do we remain in Christ (v.5)? (A) The word is “abide” which means to stay where you are. We have been placed in Christ – stay in __________ with Him. You cannot bear fruit unless you are part of the ________!
Again, v.6 says that one who parts from Christ is like a useless branch that thrown away and withers. (A) It probably refers to People who ____ to be Christians but are not genuinely saved and are therefore judged by ________________.
Jesus tells us in v.9 that He loves us as the Father loves Him. What an honor to be loved with such intensity. He commands us to love in the same way. How is this shown? (A) V.13 says that the greatest love is shown when people lay down there lives for their friends. Is this literal? (A) It may very well be. Many have _____ for the sake of the church. It may mean some people give their entire lives in ______ for the people of God. The point is – are you _______ to do the same?
Discuss vv.15 - 17. What do they mean to you? (A) Christ considers us much more than mere servants. He looks on us as __________ and has given us, in the Word, all that He heard from the Father. We do not need anything else! It was Jesus who _______ us from eternity past, not because we are so great, but because He loves us and chooses us to produce ________ fruit, that is, to manifest godly __________; righteous ___________; and leading others to _______ in Christ.

Chapter 16 – The Promise of the Holy Spirit

1. Christ said that He would send the Helper to the disciples. How does He help? (A) He would______ them, _______ them, give them ________, teach them, and make Christ more real to them than ever before. He was coming in a new way – to ________ the world and minister to believers.

2. It says that the Spirit convicts the world in regard to sin, of righteousness, and of Judgment. How does He convict the world of these things? (A) He creates an inward _________ in the hearts of believers of these things. “Of sin” – He convicts the world of the sin of _________________________ in Christ; “Of righteousness” – Jesus claimed to be righteous, but men said He had a demon. The Father, in effect, said “My Son is righteous, and I will prove it by ______ Him from the dead and taking Him back to Heaven”; “Of judgment” – The presence of the HS convicts the world of _______ judgment. The fact that He is here means the devil has __________ been condemned at the cross all who
_________ the Savior will share his awful judgment in the future.

3. V.13 says that, “When the Spirit comes, He will guide you into all truth.” How? (A) Through the Scriptures. All truth was given to the apostles, and they committed it to writing and we have it today in the ____. This combined with the ____, completes God’s revelation to man. He ________ to reveal the truth to us as we study, pray, and worship. It is all to bring _______ to Christ (v.14)!

4. Vv. 23,24 speak about “that day.” What day? (A) It refers to _______, about 40 days from the Passover Jesus was celebrating, and it refers to the “last days” in which we are living. In these days, the HS teaches the _____ about the Father and it will be become more plain.

Chapter 17 – The Prayer of Jesus

This prayer is sometimes referred to as the “High-Priestly” prayer of Jesus and marks the end of His earthly ministry and the beginning of His intercessory ministry for believers (Heb. 7:25).

Jesus says in v.1 “the time has come.” What time? (A) The Jews attempted to kill Jesus many times and could not, the time for His death has come.
How would the Father “glorify the Son?” If He were to ______ in the grave, then He was just another man. But the Father would glorify Him by ______ Him from the dead and then taking Him to heaven and ________ Him with glory and honor.
The Father has given “all authority” to the Son. What does that mean for you? (A) That authority was the result of the work of ____________ on the cross. This authority entitled Him to give __________ to those whom the Father __________ Him (v.2). This shows once again that before the foundation of the world, God marked out certain ones as belonging to Christ. We need to remember though, that God offers salvation to anyone who will receive Jesus Christ!
How does one obtain eternal life? (A) V.3 – “And this is the way to eternal life – to _____ the ______, the only true God, and __________, the one the Father sent to earth.” Jesus is equal to the Father as the joint source of eternal life.
How did Jesus glorify the Father? (A) By doing ____ His _______ while on earth. We are to do the same.
One more view from Jesus about divine election. In vv. 6,7, He says that the Father separated the apostles from all the others on earth and gave them as a gift to Jesus. In fact, everything that Jesus had (us included) was a gift from the Father. What is His prayer (v. 11)? (A) That the Father ______ them and care for them – all those you have _____ Me – so that they will be _____ just as We are.” We are in the Father’s care and will be united with He and Jesus in heaven.
In v. 21, Jesus prays that all believers would be one. Does that mean that He wants all churches to unite and become one? (A) It will not happen in this age but at the end time when AntiChrist forces a one-world religion on people. Here He is praying that believers would be one in exhibiting the _________ of God and of Christ. Sorry, but some churches, we should have no part of!

Chapter 18 –The Arrest of Christ

Why was Jesus put on trial by the Jews first? (A) All throughout His ministry, Jesus defied the Jewish leadership and their hypocrisy. They sought to prove Him guilty of __________ and ____________.
What was the core of the Jews concern? (A) His claim that He was the Son of God. Jesus tells the High Priest that he should ask the _______ what he had been teaching. They all knew very well what His claim was. The many “________” statements proved that.
Why do you think Peter denied Jesus three times? What would you have done if you were in his place, standing in the High Priest’s courtyard and surrounded by guards, officers and other hostile Jews?
During Jesus’ trial before Pilate, He says that His kingdom is not of this earth (18:36). Can you explain why? (A) He probably meant that His kingdom was not connected to any earthly _______ and ______ ties (even those of Israel). His kingdom has no part in the evil world’s rebellion against God from the beginning of time as all other kingdoms have been and still are. His kingdom is concerned with conquering ____ in the lives of His people and some day conquering the evil _______ system at His Second Coming when He establishes His earthly kingdom. In other words, it exists in the __________ dimension until the end of the age (Rev. 11:15).
Pilate asks Jesus if He is a king. Jesus answers how (v.37)? (A) “You are right! I came to bring ______ to the world.” Only those who ______ Him and ____ His voice know the truth. If you were asked, could you explain the truth?

Chapter 19 – Innocent But Condemned

Pilate finds no fault in Jesus but gives in to the will of the crowd in order to avoid a political uprising. He has Jesus scourged as an attempt to appease the crowd, but they would have none of it.

What is the implied threat to Pilate in v. 12? (A) If he did not go along with their demand, then they would go to Caesar with the accusation that Pilate _________ another king. This would be _________ for Pilate.
What does the priests’ reply (v.15) indicate about their spiritual condition? (A) For a Jew to claim Caesar as king would be the greatest blasphemy of all. There allegiance was to be to ______ first.

The Crucifixion

Pilate condemns Jesus to death by crucifixion, sends him to Golgotha and has sign nailed to the cross which read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” What meaning does this title have for Pilate? (A) Possibly two meanings. He acknowledged Jesus as the _______ of the Jews, or He freed himself from Roman retribution by, in essence, saying that “I have killed this _____, the ______ king of the Jews.”
Remember back to the wedding at Cana and Mary’s faith in her Sons’ ministry - how do you think she must have felt as she watched Him dying on the cross?
Why is the OT prophecy about Jesus’ death so important in this chapter (see Psalm 22: 12-18,p.471; Ex.12:46, p.59; Zech. 12:10,p.781). (A) All of these prophecies pointed to the true __________, one His means of death; one as the sacrificial Passover _________; and the other as the __________ (v.36).
What is the significance of vs.28,30? (A) The entire work of __________ had been brought to completion –the _____ for sin had been _____ in full.
V.29 says that He gave up His Spirit. (A) Is that significant? (A) No one ______ His life from Him, for He _____________ and willingly ________ it up.
Some food for thought and contemplation. In what sense was Jesus’ death necessary, yet voluntary? Triumphant, yet tragic? Pre-ordained, yet avoidable? Lifted up, yet laid down? Unjust, yet, unjust? Finished, yet on going?
When you think about ______ Jesus died for you, how do you feel? When did the crucifixion begin to make a ___________ in your life? Has it?
How would you explain the need for the crucifixion to somebody else? (A) God required a _______ sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. In His eyes, this was the ____ way to redemption. He knew no one else, certainly not everyone else, could or would die for their own sins. In His great _____ for us, He sent His Son to die for us, thereby setting us free from __________ and giving us the opportunity to possess eternal life.
Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus and he and Nicodemus buried Jesus after anointing him with myrrh and aloes. What does this say about these two men? (A) They finally came out of the closet and risked _________ because of the sacrifice of this One man, Jesus. It is certain that the Pharisees were made aware of their ministering to Jesus, putting their political career and leadership role in danger. They put Jesus ________!

Chapter 20 –The Resurrection of Jesus

Why do you think Jesus appeared to her first? (A) Possibly to demonstrate ____ by His personal, loving faithfulness to someone who had a dark past; but also because she ____ Him so dearly and deeply, that she appeared before anyone else at the tomb. The disciples were in hiding and mourning.
Mary runs and tells Simon Peter and John about His disappearance. They run to the tomb to see for themselves and it says that only John believed; yet, he did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead (v.9). What did they do (v.10)? (A) Amazingly, they went _____ to their _____, but Mary stayed outside the tomb and grieved.
How did Jesus respond to Mary (v. 14-16)? (A) He graciously appeared to her first and in answer to her confusion and despair, simply says, “_____.” With that one word, He opened her eyes so she could see the _____ of the __________. He spoke to her heart of love and grief by showing He was alive as He had _______; and He restored her ______ in the ________ of the Messiah. She called Him “Rabboni” (teacher) but He lovingly explains the newer and fuller way she would now know Him.
What term (v.17) does Jesus use for His disciples here? What is new in their relationship from now on (see 15:15)? (A) Jesus tells Mary to go to His _______ and tell them of His resurrection. In 15:15, He told them that they were no longer servants, but friends. He now says they are His ______, that His Father was ____ Father, and His God was _______ God. His act of sacrifice on the cross forever changed the believer’s _________ with their God! We are now adopted sons of God, a relationship that begins when we are saved and never ends. As His sons/daughters, we share in the full ____________ of Christ (Eph. 1: 5,13).
It was now Sunday evening. The disciples were assembled together, perhaps in the upper room where they had met three nights ago. Jesus enters the room without opening a door. This appears to be a miracle. He was in His Resurrection body of real flesh and bones, yet He had the power to pass through barriers and otherwise act independently of natural laws. Why do you think He said, “Peace be with you?” (A) It was a similar Hebrew greeting similar to “shalom” but now contained a ______ and fuller meaning. Taken together with His words on the cross “It is finished,” they accomplished forever, peace between God and His people.
Jesus repeats His statement of Peace and commissions His disciples to go and do what He has done. Verse 22 says,” He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit." If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you refuse to forgive them, they are unforgiven.” Did they actually receive the HS at that time? Is Jesus giving them the power to forgive or not to forgive sins? (A) The disciples did not receive the HS until __________, some 40 days later. This must be understood as a _______ on Christ’s part that the Holy Spirit would be coming. V.23 does _____ give Christians power to __________ sins. Jesus was saying that the believer could boldly declare the certainty of a sinner’s _________ by the Father because of the ______ of His _____, if that person has repented and believed. Sin was forgiven at the cross. Apart from that, there is no forgiveness.
Have you ever uttered the words of Thomas in v. 28, “My Lord and my God?” Is Jesus the Lord of your life? Over everything?

Chapter 21 – The Risen Christ with His Own

1. What is the symbolism of the fishing done here? (A) “They caught nothing” – the ___________of human effort without _______ help; “they cast their nets on the right side” – the Lord had perfect ___________ as to the fish in the lake. When the Lord directs our service, there are no more empty nets. He knows where there are souls to be saved, and He is willing to direct us to them – if we will let Him. “The Lord had breakfast ready” – He is not dependent on our poor_______. “Pull in the net and count”: the secret of success is to work at His command and to act with unreserved __________ to His Word. “0ne hundred and fifty-three fish” – speaks of the _______of those who would be saved _______the _________of the Gospel; “the net did not break” – God’s work carried out in _____ ____ will never lack God’s resources. He will see that the net never breaks (William MacDonald).

2. After breakfast, Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love Me more than these (v.15)?” Peter answers him that he does. What was the Lord looking for and how does Peter’s response reveal his remaining doubt? (A) The word for love that the Lord uses is “________,” that Christ like love that calls for _______commitment. Peter answers with the word “_______” that suggest love for a friend. Peter shows he loves the Lord but maybe ________total commitment. This might be because of Peter’s failure to live up to his words in the Garden. The point is that Jesus demands _______ ____________from his followers. Their love for Him must place Him ______ their love for all else.

3. “…More than these.” More than what? (A) Possibly the ____they had caught and his profession as a__________. Jesus wanted Peter to love Him so much _______than all else that he was familiar with and to be _________ _________to being a fisher of men.

4. How could Peter show that He loved the Lord? (A) Jesus tells him three times to _____His lambs, His sheep, and His flock. He is sending Peter out as an__________, a _______ and ________ His lambs need the loving care of a ____________.

5. In vs.18, 19, Jesus tells Peter how He is going to die. He follows that up by saying, “Follow Me.” What is He saying? (A) Whenever a Christian follows Christ, he must be prepared to suffer and die.

What does v.23 say to you – “If I want him to remain alive…? (A) He is in control of _________and every _________of our lives. It is ____about ____and for Him. That is what it must be to us! What a great God He is!